“Enough is Enough”: Neil Perry plays crucial role in new hospo association
Neil Perry is leading the charge among a group of hospitality heavyweights who have banded together to create the Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association (ARCA).
The new industry association is already making an impact as it looks to influence government policy on a range of issues including skilled worker immigration, wages and tax and even outdoor dining.
The association has appointed Wes Lambert as its chief executive. Lambert played a major role in lobbying for the industry during the pandemic and spearheaded Restaurant & Catering’s strategy during this time.
“Every restaurant and cafe owner is facing unprecedented challenges,” Lambert told Good Food. “Taxes, inflation, wage pressures, costs of doing business, and skilled staffing shortages, along with ever-increasing rents, are pushing the [sector] to the wall.”
The association will be represented by high-profile restaurants including Quay, Restaurant Hubert, The Grounds, Stokehouse and Lake House. Also joining the lobby is Chin Chin owner Chris Lucas.
The likes of Perry and Lucas hold enormous sway, considering restaurants and cafes generate $64 billion in annual revenue for the country and is one of largest employers of young people.
ARCA says it is not in competition with Restaurant & Catering Australia.
“We want to work with them, we’re adding another voice,” Perry told Good Food.
“There are many industries as big as ours with a number of voices.”
Lambert continued: “We need to work collaboratively, the more voices we have for advocacy the better.”
ARCA’s board is yet to be announced but is said to include Merivale’s chief people officer Jessica Furolo and Lake House owner Alla Wolf-Tasker.
The board met recently to “address the tough economic conditions” and set priorities to meet current challenges.
“The current policy framework is not supporting the restaurant and cafe sector to continue to contribute to Australia’s economy,” Perry said.
“We’ve been calling out for change and today we’ve gathered Australia’s leading restaurant owners together to drive impactful change in legislation and policy shifts to allow the industry to survive and thrive.”
Jonathan Jackson, 3rd June 2024
